Shaw shows his potential

Ulsterman Gareth Shaw repaid the faith shown in him by stablemate Graeme McDowell when he grabbed a share of fourth place in the Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club.

The Lisburn rookie, 22, carded with a bogey-free 69 to finish just two shots behind Australia’s Andrew Tampion on six-under par in just his second start as a professional.

Tampion, 23, claimed his maiden victory and boosted his chances of a return to the main tour when he closed with a five-under par 67 to finish a shot clear of England’s Richard Bland and Scot David Drysdale on eight-under par.

“I didn’t really know what to expect when I turned professional but I now know that I have got the game to compete out here,” said Shaw, who joined McDowell in the Horizon Sports Management stable last month.

“I got a few nice text messages from guys like GMac (Graeme McDowell) and my manager Conor Ridge and some friends, advising me to play my own game and that’s what I’ve tried to do. So far so good.

“You look at Joel Sjoholm or Jonas Blixt, who I played against a lot on the amateur circuit college, and have come out and done well.

“They were at a similar level to me so that assured me that I was good enough. If they can do it, there is no reason why I can’t. I have played them and beaten them before."

Melbourne native Tampion started the day five strokes behind overnight leader Richie Ramsay of Scotland but scorched to the turn in five under par 31 thanks to four successive birdies from the sixth and holed a 12-foot birdie putt at the last to post the clubhouse target.

“It feels great but it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said Tampion, who watched nervously as Blixt, Bland and Ramsay failed to match him over the closing holes. “I’ve been playing really well lately but not putting as well as I can so to finally hole some putts today and to win my first event is a fantastic feeling.”

Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin equalled the best round of the day with a 67 to share ninth place on five under and jump two spots to 13th in the rankings as Glasson’s Colm Moriarty faded to 24th after a final round 75.

Shaw makes successful transition

Ulsterman Gareth Shaw firmly planted his foot on the first rung of the professional golfing ladder when he closed with a three-under par 69 to share fourth place in the Challenge of Ireland at Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club near Athlone.